Hoyt Axton “Joy to the World”
After too many years over-exposure to the words “Jeremiah was a bullfrog…” I thought I would never make it all the way through another version of “Joy to the World.” Hoyt Axton’s original delivers the goods though, and much more to dig on this 1971 gem, his most celebrated and “hits” filled record.
In quotations since none of the “hits” were from his own version. Before any research, it sounds like a collection of covers, but I was surprised to learn he actually wrote “Joy to the World,” “Never Been to Spain” (both as made famous by 3 Dog), and “The Pusher” (Steppenwolf). Clearly a talented songwriter but a damn fine performer at that, seeing as how his originals endure better today than their played-out cover versions. These productions are raw, but layered and textured, a bit twangy and sometimes pumped up with an overdriven gospel chorus. It’s a kind of sound that could even sound good on blown out speakers.
Axton’s vocal varies track to track: sometimes it’s a little unconvincing, like on the swampy “California Women” (great work with the blues harp on this one), but a couple lines in he’ll hook you back. The payoff is in the growl and squonk when his voice is most worn.
This record’s worth it for some key moments. The panning moog (or distorted bass guitar, sax? can anybody call it?) on “Alice in Wonderland’s” addicting chorus. The first verse of “Lightnin’ Bar Blues” (another song so good I can’t believe it’s original) before the bar fight sound effects nearly ruin the track. And “Have a Nice Day,” now that’s my kind of tune, it’s like the content of a R. Davies track with some J. Sebastian feel.
Get this any way you can find it, but the Raven CD reissue comes as a 2fer with his previous recording, Country Anthem, another great one.
“Alice in Wonderland”
Original Vinyl | 1971 | Capitol | search ebay ]
CD reissue | 2001 | Raven | 2fer | at amazon ]
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arlo guthrie did a reall nice version of lightening bar blues as well!
it’s distorted bass maybe. his mom wrote heartbreak hotel
Another awesome find. You website is invaluable. Thank you.
I LOVE this record. I used to have the Raven twofer but sold it thinking, “I’ll find that on vinyl easy.” For some strange reason I’ve never even seen a copy of this thing since! And I’m just too stubborn to buy one on ebay. (It seems like the kind of record you just HAVE to find crate digging to make it worthwhile.) Anyway, I’m glad to see someone else appreciates it.
Perhaps as a singer Hoyt was better suited for voice over work, and in that vein he was about as good as anybody. His voice was warm and sonorous but not real singerly. A somebody-done-me-wrong ballad wouldn’t suit him. He did have an ear for tunes, though. (The “No No Song,” a hit for Ringo, was another one of his.) He’s kind of a Roger Miller type of character: His form was country but not the convincingly authentic kind and with a weakness for the novelty song. Though, they never really sounded novelty when he recorded them. My older sister had Axton’s “Sweet Misery” when I was growing up. That’s a nice one to hear in the dark with your choice of spirit or herb making love to your girlfriend on the rug under the lights of the stereo. (Ah well, I kind of got transported there…)
really just can’t believe nobody has commented on the fucking monstrosity that is hoyt’s version of “the pusher”… good lord, that sucker is HEAVY! and bloody damn do i love steppenwolfs version but damn this thing is a swamp tune for the ages.